These are the men accused of beating up two Iranian refugees in a vicious racist attack on a Tyneside Metro train.

These are the men accused of beating up two Iranian refugees in a vicious racist attack on a Tyneside Metro train.

Wesley Cole and Martin Shaw, both 26, have been charged with a racially motivated assault on the asylum seekers.

The refugees, arts students at North Tyneside College, were allegedly attacked while on a train between Hadrian Park and Wallsend Metro stations.

Cole, of Burn Terrace, Wallsend, and Shaw, of Albert Avenue, Wallsend, both denied the charge when they appeared before North Tyneside magistrates. The pair now face a trial at Newcastle Crown Court.

Daoud Zaaroura, chief executive of the North of England Refugee Service, said: "While we cannot comment specifically on this case at the moment, the two refugees were extremely scared by what happened.

"It was very difficult for them as they were frightened even to contact the police as they have been tortured by the authorities in their own country.

"It has been traumatising for them. They came to this country to escape such treatment, but they are attacked here as well.

"They were sent to the North East without any choice in the matter, and as human beings deserve equal treatment.

"In general, the local community have been very supportive, and we are sorry that some people have taken it upon themselves to assault asylum seekers who have come to this country to seek safety and refuge.

"Attacking refugees is not going to change the system and it gives a negative profile of community relations in the area.

"However, we are proud that we have such strong community support, and what happened in this instance does not reflect the general situation.

"We hope the level of support from the local community and authorities and ourselves will make up for this difficult situation."

The driver of the Metro was forced to stop the train after he became aware of a scuffle just short of Hadrian Road Metro Station, at around 9.50pm on January 31.

The two refugees had been attacked in a separate incident three weeks previously.

The case against Cole and Shaw was adjourned until May 24. Both were given conditional bail.